2021
IMPACT
REPORT

Help inspire young people to be

Help inspire young
people to be

We hold a vision which
inspires AND transforms.

We hold a vision
which inspires
AND transforms.

Undertaking the Award has been a boon to individuals, their communities, and helped young people in this period of COVID. As one Bronze participant, Manny shared, “Anyone involved with the youth community has noted there is a problem with motivation. No one has motivation. It has been easy to click snooze and miss advisory period, a class, or school. The Award fills that void of motivation, so you actually have accountability for what you are doing. There is a reason to get up and go to class or do your activities.” The Award spurs development of a leadership mindset. It augments activities already underway and inspires new. The Award is a credential helpful to all undertaking its rigors, especially those from disinvested communities and marginalized groups. And in this year of continued challenge, the Award is global building connections and forging bonds to raise up voices from this next generation.

THE AWARD IS RELEVANT.

Long term implications from the past year-and-a-half remain to be seen. So far, young people are among those experiencing the greatest impact. It has never been more important to invest in our young people; to help ensure they are ready to face the challenging and changing times ahead. The pandemic has had devastating effects on education, mental health, personal development and career prospects for young Americans. Surveys conducted a year into the pandemic have shown that the Award is the right resource to help young people thrive.

61%
59%
71%
49%
39%
54%

Award provided relief during COVID*

Award helped them develop personally
during the last year*

Award assisted them with health and fitness**

Award improved mental health and well-being*

Award helped them build 
more interest in politics**

Award helped them enjoy outdoor
and environmental activities**

Long term implications from the past year-and-a-half remain to be seen. So far, young people are among those experiencing the greatest impact. It has never been more important to invest in our young people; to help ensure they are ready to face the challenging and changing times ahead. The pandemic has had devastating effects on education, mental health, personal development and career prospects for young Americans. Surveys conducted a year into the pandemic have shown that the Award is the right resource to help young people thrive.

61%

Award provided relief during COVID*

59%

Award helped them develop personally during the last year*

71%

Award assisted them with health and fitness**

49%

Award improved mental health and well-being*

39%

Award helped them build 
more interest in politics**

54%

Award helped them enjoy outdoor and environmental activities**

Championing infinite potential
in young people and fostering
opportunities.

Championing infinite potential in young people and fostering opportunities.

As an advocate globally for young people’s well being, employability, leadership skills, and connection to community, the Award co-led the Global Youth Mobilization in 2021 as a member of the Big Six, the six biggest youth agencies worldwide. This movement of young people taking action to improve their lives now and in a post-COVID world aims to address the negative impact the pandemic had on young people. Early accomplishments included direct to young people grants, a global summit, and a UN Unlock Declaration focused on prioritizing the needs and input of the next and future generations within the international system. Also new in 2021 was our Spotlight series launched with the International Award Foundation creating youth led thought leadership spaces for global discussions on topics concerning this generation: climate action, mental health, equity in access to the out of doors, and employment.

Award USA is powered by adult mentors and young people in the United States of America. As a Chicago Headquartered 501(c)3 organization which empowers young Americans, Award USA is sustained by American individuals, foundations and corporations, working towards building tomorrow’s inclusive leaders.

Help Champion Young People’s Infinite Potential.

BOARD CHAIR & CEO
OF THE AWARD

Nichelle S. Carr, Board Chair

Buffy Higgins-Beard, CEO

WHAT DOES
‘CHAMPION INFINITE POTENTIAL’
REALLY MEAN?

We are supporting young people to find their
purpose, passion, and place in the world

We are helping young people build their
resilience, adaptability, and self-belief

We are enabling young people to be positive agents
of change, both for themselves and their community

We are giving young people the chance
to take control of their lives and their futures

THE AWARD IS
A LIVING LEGACY

THE AWARD IS A LIVING LEGACY

The Award is a living legacy of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh KG KT who passed away in April at the age of 99. In June 2021, we marked what would have been his centenary with the launch of the Infinite Potential 100 campaign.

An Estimated

18 million

Awards Started Since 1956

Active Now In

130 Countries

And Territories

Approximately

6 Million

Awards Earned

Over

125,000 hours

Of Volunteer Service

Working With

LIKE-MINDED

Organizations We Offer
A Globally Recognized
Youth Achievement Award

A

UNIQUE

International
Accreditation

GROWING
ACROSS AMERICA

0

Active In 2020

0

New Registrants In 2020​

0+

Volunteers​

0+

US Award Holder Alumni​

0

Awards Received in 2020

0

Gold Awards

0

Silver Awards

0

Bronze Awards

0%

Female

0%

Male

0%

Prefer Not to Say

Gave Back For

0

Hours During
The Pandemic

Learned A Skill For

0+

Hours

Broke A Sweat For

0+

Hours Of
Physical Recreation​

OUR STRATEGIC AIMS FOR 2020-2025

SCALING AWARD PARTNERS

Partnering with like-minded organizations while expanding footprint with larger authorities and solutions for participants without centers.

ENHANCING AWARD VALIDATORS

Raising brand awareness and proving the Award in high schools, universities/colleges, employers, and through deployment of Award Alumni.

DIVERSIFYING DONOR BASE

Offering convincing impact data, communicating the story effectively to diversify portfolio and expand support, and enhancing engagement opportunities.

SCALING FOR
THE US MARKET

Metrics utilized will denote stability, relevance, and reasonable scaling for the US market

SUSTAINABLE
GROWTH

Growth will be achieved in a sustainable manner, without sacrificing quality

10,000
YOUNG PEOPLE

The goal of this plan is to have 10,000 young people engaged in the
Award by 2030

SELF-
GENERATING

10,000 is a “tipping point,” whereby it is postulated to become self-generating

AWARD IMPACT

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is committed to raising voices from this and future generations. Activities are grounded in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which are global goals to promote peace, grow prosperity, and create a healthier environment by 2030.

This year the Award internationally advocated and created a Global Youth Mobilization whose highlights included a global conference, COVID recovery grants for participants, and release of the Unlock Declaration. These pivotal activities combine the power of the Big Six – the Award and the five other largest youth serving agencies worldwide – with the World Health Organization and the United Nations to raise up young voices.

We are convening this Generation on issues which matter in our panel led Spotlight series. As gathering spaces, these virtual events are catalyzing and showcasing young people. As thought leaders, those involved are addressing the challenges of their times: mental health, climate action, access and employability.

Award USA is also taking time to celebrate, gathering together in Resilience Parties co-hosted by local United Kingdom Consul General offices with the support of the UK Ambassador. In 2021 these were held in Philadelphia and Chicago. More are planned for 2022.

GROWING
PARTNERSHIPS

ACCESS & DIVERSITY

AWARD PARTICIPANTS

48%

Award participants are diverse (including racial or ethnic group, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, ability status, and/or spiritual beliefs)

35%

Award participants are racially or ethnically diverse​

14%

Award participants report a physical, cognitive, or learning disability

22%

Award participants come from a household with low or extremely low income;
100% of financial assistance grant requests received were granted in 2020-21 for financial assistance to 20 participants and 2 Award Centers

*Some participants report more than one of these status
*Some participants report
more than one of these status

AWARD STAFF & BOARD MEMBERS

35%

Award Staff and Board members are diverse (including racial or ethnic group, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, ability status, and/or spiritual beliefs)

25%

Award Staff and Board members are racially or ethnically diverse​

6%

Award Staff and Board members report a physical, cognitive, or learning disability

53%

Female

47%

Male

Gen Z
0%
Millennial
0%
Gen X
0%
Baby Boomer
0%
Silent Generation
0%

SUPPORTERS

PLATINUM CIRCLE

Gifts in 3 years exceed $150,00

CNA*

James Dicke II*

HUB International*

LEGACY DONORS

Gifts through end of life vehicles

Joan M. and Derek J. Benham

GOLD LEVEL DONORS

$25,000 - $99,999

Alexandra and Richard Gulliver*

Salesforce

SILVER LEVEL DONORS

$10,000 - $24,999

Hellman & Friedman

Legal and General*

Moet Hennessy

Muriel F. Siebert Foundation

Krista and Rich Pinola

BRONZE LEVEL DONORS

$1,000 - $9,999

Josephine and Scott Adair

Kathleen and Charles Brophy

Nichelle Carr

Josh Chou

Marilyn and John Connelly

Daughters of the British Empire in the USA

Robert Deans

Kathleen and Jim DiBiasi

Richard Gregg*

Elizabeth Higgins-Beard and Gregory Beard

Pamela and James Hill

Hourglass Wine

Caroline and Kirk James

Kim and Elliot Katz Fund

Amber and Dan Kennelly

Ziv Lalich

Todd Macumber

Jessica Mezzacappa

Jessica Mezzacappa Family Fund

Ryan Ruskin and Michael Andrews

The David Minkin Foundation

Debbie and Andy Webster

*Award Champions – Indicates a 3-year annual pledge at the Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum level

AWARD BOARD

GOVERNING BOARD
NOVEMBER 2021

Nichelle Carr, Chair; President, West City One Studios

Major David Clarke CVO; National Coordinator COVID-19 Immunization, Barbados Defense Force

John Danielson; Chairman and CEO, The Chartwell Hamilton Group

Paul Godinez; Partner, Bailey Duquette

Amber Kennelly, Secretary; Chief Human Resources Officer, Hub International

Benjamin Morris, Treasurer; Director of Finance, The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation

Ryan Ruskin; President, The Ruskin Group

Kimberly Bourne Saccaro; Founder, BENEFACTUS

Ex-officio

Elizabeth Higgins-Beard, CEO

GOVERNING BOARD
EMERITUS

Gregory Belton CVO CM, Founder; Executive Chairman, HUB International

James DiBiasi; President, 3D Communications

Dr. Michael Clarke; Management Consulting Director, Fijitsu Americas

Gary Davis, Founder; Chief Financial Officer, Translators without Borders

Richard Gulliver, Founding Chair; Vice Chairman, HUB International

Richard Pinola; Principal, Fortuna Capital

Anne Wallestad; President & CEO, BoardSource

HONORARY BOARD

Hon. Stephen Bridges LVO; UK and Ireland Director for US State of Indiana

David Hryck; Partner, Reed Smith

Kim Isaacs Katz; Principal, Bernstein

Wilma Mae Basta; Chief Executive, DRK BEAUTY

Ellie Manko Libby; Development Specialist

Daniel Singer; Founder and President, Filthy Foods

Debbie Webster; Philanthropist

STAFF

Elizabeth Higgins-Beard
CEO

Dr. Lisa Metzger-Mugg
VP of Program & Ops

Jennifer Power
Program Director

Andrew Orloff
Development Associate

Patrice Ziegler
Finance Manager

Isabel Beariault
Alumni Award Leader

Victor Echaniz
Alumni Award Leader

Aaron Murray
Alumni Award Leader

Rosie Westerback
Alumni Award Leader

FINANCES

April 2020 - March 2021

Areas of Revenue

$0

Individual/Trust Gifts

$417,190

Corporate Gifts

$148,500

Government CARES Act

$168,697

Program Fees

$36,150

Fundraising Event Net

$15,774

Individual/Trust Gifts

$417,190

Corporate Gifts

$148,500

Government CARES Act

$168,697

Program Fees

$36,150

Fundraising Event Net

$15,774

Areas of Expense

$0
Staffing
Staffing to support national growth
of Award participants and volunteers
AWARENESS EVENTS
Virtual Award Summit and
National Virtual Award Ceremony
TRAINING
Virtual training, monthly online continuing
education and office hours 2020-21
FINANCIAL AID
22 grants to increase access for low
income participants and Award Centers

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